Tag: Christ of the Abyss

5 Things to Do in the Florida Keys  

People often ask which of the Florida Keys they should visit. Well, the answer is all of them. Each of the islands offers something a bit different from the always party time atmosphere of Key West to Key Largo which is known for great snorkeling and is home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. If you’re planning a glamping getaway to The Keys, you’re lucky because we have two great glamping locations: stay in a totally hip tiny house at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or enjoy a colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key. Below we offer just a few suggestions for things to do when visiting: 

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village
Sunshine Key Tiny House Village

1. The Lara Quinn Wild Bird Sanctuary is worth the visit to see 30 different species of birds that make this sanctuary their permanent home after having been rescued and rehabilitated but are considered non-releasable for their safety. The sanctuary is open 365 days each year from sunrise to sunset and offers guided tours as well. For more details go to the sanctuary’s website keepthemflying.org. 

2. With so many islands and coral reefs, of course diving is a big deal here. Check out the History of Diving Museum on Islamorada and explore their multiple exhibits that details the history of diving, the advent of equipment from early dive helmets to the most modern-day apparatus, and the diving equipment from many nations around the world. There’s also a tribute to Jules Verne (have you read 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea yet?) and a 50-gallon aquarium full of tropical reef fish. For information visit divingmuseum.org.  

Christ of the Abyss
Christ of the Abyss

3. So many islands, so many excursions! From land to sea, there are plenty of exciting things to do in The Keys when it comes to excursions. Christ of the Abyss is not your typical statue – this one is located roughly 25 feet under the waters that surround John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The best way to see it is via a snorkeling excursion – check out silentworld.com to book a dive tour. Movie buffs will appreciate the excursion aboard The African Queen – the storied steamboat from the movie of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Katherine Hepburn. To enjoy one of the daily canal cruises, visit africanqueenflkeys.com. Get to know Key West with a “Southernmost Food and Cultural Walking Tour”, offered by viator.com that takes you around the island’s historic district with stops along the way to enjoy the great food here including Cuban cuisine and of course, Key Lime pie! 

4. Sunrise/Sunset – make sure you get the best of both when glamping in The Keys. Some of the best places to catch the sunrise include Bahia Honda State Park on Big Pine Key (perfect if you’re staying at Encore Sunshine Key); the aptly named Sunrise Beach in Key Largo and Higgs Beach in Key West. For a spectacular sunset, consider Mallory Beach in Key West which hosts a nightly sunset celebration; or from aboard a catamaran cruise that departs from Islamorada (check out robbies.com for details); or back to Bahia Honda State Park to end a perfect day!  

Sunset at Bahia Honda State Park
Sunset at Bahia Honda State Park

5. Aside from the sun, sand and snorkeling, The Florida Keys have a lot of noteworthy sites to visit. They include The Little White House (Key West), which served as President Harry Truman’s winter getaway; the Caribbean Club (Key Largo), the oldest bar in the Upper Keys where portions of the film Key Largo were shot; the Dry Tortugas and Fort Jefferson National Park, which is the largest all-masonry fort in the Western Hemisphere; and Hemingway House (Key West); which was home for many years to famous author Ernest Hemingway. 

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Winter Glamping Ideas for the Sun or Snow

The decision you make when it comes to your winter glamping depends on how you like to spend your winters. Will it be relaxing in the sun or enjoying the snow?

Winter at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Winter at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

On the snowy side, options could include Washington’s Thousand Trails Leavenworth, Oregon’s Mt. Hood Village Resort, and Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes in California. Leavenworth averages 89 inches of snowfall per winter so there’s no end to the white stuff for snowmobiling, skiing, sledding and snowboarding. Or maybe try something new like snowshoeing or Nordic skiing. The Bavarian-style village is even more quaint in winter with snow-capped backdrops and shopping, dining and winery options as well. A cozy tiny house at Leavenworth Tiny House Village is the perfect glamping accommodation for this trip. Yosemite National Park in winter offers the Badger Pass Ski Area for both downhill and cross-country skiing while hiking is an option on the many trails in Yosemite Valley. Grab a group and choose a spacious yurt or bunkhouse for your winter getaway at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes or a cozy glamping cabin for two. Pick one of the adorably decorated and super-trendy tiny houses at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and explore the Mt. Hood area and all there is to do here in winter thanks to the five ski areas available. Check out historic Timberline Lodge and Ski Area for downhill, snowboarding and more “shushy” fun or try something really unique with the Cosmic Tubing offered on weekend evenings at the Mt. Hood Skibowl or a moonlight snowshoe tour offered through the Timberline.


If fun in the sun is on the agenda this winter, visit the Florida Keys where fun in the sun is an everyday event. Rent a colorful glamping cottage at Encore Fiesta Key (located on the Keys’ Long Key) and island-hop for a full Keys experience. Of course, no visit to The Keys is complete without checking out Key West – the storied island known for its six-toed cats, Hemingway history and Key Lime Pie! Then there is Key Largo; home to John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and the underwater wonder, Christ of the Abyss, the bronze sculpture that protects divers as well as memorializes those lost. There is Islamorada, often said to be the prettiest key thanks to its white sand beaches, or the Dry Tortugas with its 18th century fort and amazing coral reefs.

Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades
Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades

Staying in Florida but heading to the mainland, a winter getaway could include Miami with a stay at Encore Miami Everglades and check out Miami highlights including the Miami Zoo, the Wynwood Walls, a series of colorful street murals, kayaking in Oleta River State Park and of course, Everglades National Park.

Dunes at Marina Dunes RV Resort
Dunes at Marina Dunes RV Resort

If you’re craving sand in the winter, as well as the sun, head to California’s Marina Dunes RV Resort. With its proximity to Carmel and Monterey, you’ll be close to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, historic Cannery Row, the scenic 17-Mile Drive and beautiful Big Sur. For that sand experience, walk the beach along the dunes here.

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Maximize Your Time Off with These Two Long Weekend Getaways

Unfortunately, it is a sad fact that Americans have admitted to taking just roughly 48% of the vacation time offered by their employers. Most likely it’s because when we think of a vacation, we think it requires at least a whole week off. But what about long weekends? Plan a few of those this fall so you can ensure you’re getting what you’re owed when it comes to rest and relaxation away from the workplace. Don’t leave a minute of vacation time unused – check out these long weekend getaways and hit the road!

Cottage at Thousand Trails Palm Springs
Cottage at Thousand Trails Palm Springs

Los Angeles to Palm Springs: If you live in the Los Angeles area, Palm Springs is less than two hours from the city, yet it seems like a world away. Book a colorful cottage stay at Thousand Trails Palm Springs in Palm Desert and get away from it all. Leave your troubles on the ground and explore Palm Springs from the air via the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Actually, the views are fantastic and the roughly 10-minute ride takes you to Mt. San Jacinto State Park. Take your pick of the plentiful hiking trails here, browse the gift shop, check out the Natural History Museum, or take in the views from the observation decks. If you feel the need for a calming environment, check out the Palm Springs Art Museum. The 150,000 square-foot structure alone is worth the trip and the exhibits housed in 28 galleries and two sculpture gardens ice the cake. Check out the current exhibit, Meditations in Glass, which is said to “invite contemplation and stimulate daydream and reverie.” Speaking of glass, don’t miss the glass sculpture, End of Day 2, by Dale Chihuly. If you’re really looking for relaxation, consider taking a sound bath through Integratron (integratron.com). The 60-minute sonic healing session is open to the public (reservations required) and promises deep relaxation, introspection and rejuvenation. See how the rich and famous live here with a 1.5-hour Legends and Icons tour offered via getyourguide.com. And, of course, go to brunch either with your pup at Boozehounds Palm Springs or with a view at Vue Grille and Bar in nearby Indian Wells.

Under six hours – that’s not a bad drive for a long weekend of glamping and exploring the Florida Keys. At the very north end of Florida, Jacksonville charts the longest drive from the big city while Miami is the shorter of the “leave the city behind” drives at just a little over 2 hours. But really, life in the Keys isn’t like any other Florida location or anywhere else for that matter. As the late, great Jimmy Buffett said, “changes in latitude, changes in attitude.” Come to the Keys to regroup, refresh, and live it up a bit after the work-week grind. Book a stay at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or book a waterfront colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key and get ready to attitude-adjust.

Encore Fiesta Key Resort & Marina
Encore Fiesta Key Resort & Marina

Of course, snorkeling is a great way to leave it all behind and watching the fish swim about is definitely a path to tranquility and calm. Great snorkeling spots include John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park – with the underwater statue, Christ of the Abyss, as well as the Dry Tortugas National Park. Bahia Honda State Park is another snorkeling option that also has some great photo ops. Take a relaxing sunset dinner cruise from Key West (sunsetwatersportskeywest.com) or aboard a tiki boat out of Key Largo (cruisintikiskeylargo.com). For a relaxing hike, try the Fred C. Manillo Trail in the National Key Deer Refuge on Big Pine Key. And another way to relax just may be enjoying a tropical drink, complete with a mini umbrella, in one of the many bars found on Key West. The oldest establishment here is Captain Tony’s Saloon while Sloppy Joe’s might be the most well-known.

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